Miss Wang Weina, even your cousin won't do!

You want to hear the truth, don't you?

"What will happen if I listen?" the unicorn asked.

Wei Yanwu laughed and shook his head: "Scared? Then why ask?" He shook his pipe and said: "Actually, it won't hurt to tell you, there won't be any consequences."

He pointed out the window of the control tower to Chen, who was patrolling the tarmac in a small, armored jeep used for inspection, and solemnly said:

"Everything I'm doing now is for her. Whether it's bypassing the Inspectorate or agreeing to the visit of the Victoria Royal Family, it's all for her."

"My goal is to help her grow to a point where I can entrust my entire life's work to her, or at least give her enough time to grow before that happens. As for what I will do after that is achieved..."

Wei Yanwu grinned, his mouthful of sharp teeth still as sharp as ever.

"That's none of your business."

After that, I will tell my old friends that Wei Yanwu is still Wei Yanwu. Time will not make a dragon indecisive; it will only make him more ruthless.

By then, Commander Wei's mission will be complete, and "Wei Yanwu" should truly return!

Chapter Twenty-Two: Today's Victory or Defeat - Wayne's Defeated

"We are almost there, Your Majesty, and the Prince and Princess."

As the aircraft descended, Wayne was able to glimpse the distant silhouette of Lungmen through the round window. It was a magnificent city, lacking some of the ancient Yan Kingdom style that Vina had imagined, but it had reached the pinnacle of modernization in this era.

The last time Wayne saw such a massive, modern metropolis was in Silicon Valley, Columbia. There, too, was a sci-fi world made up of steel jungles.

"Get ready to make your grand entrance, Vina, Theresa."

Wayne said with a smile.

Theresa seemed relaxed; for her, visiting, receiving guests, and meeting were all commonplace things, and she didn't feel nervous about them.

But Vina was a little different. This was the young woman's first trip abroad since ascending the throne of Victoria. Although it wasn't a meeting at the level of national leaders, Vina still seemed somewhat nervous. Her small hands were tightly gripping the hem of Wayne's clothes, who was sitting next to her.

Wayne gently patted Vina's shoulder. He understood Vina's nervousness, of course. In fact, wasn't he nervous too? It was Vina's first time, but wasn't it his too?

This wasn't a clandestine meeting or a confrontational contest. This was the first time Wayne had visited a city in this manner—presenting credentials beforehand, establishing a cooperative agreement, and then finally conducting the visit. Before this, the highest-ranking foreign figure he had ever met was the former Chief Justice of the Colombian Federal Congress; however, that important figure arrived at an inopportune time, and Wayne immediately seized control of him using [Heavenly Mandate]. There hadn't been any meaningful interaction between Wayne and him.

Both he and Vina were complete novices in this matter. But compared to Vina, he was much more relaxed.

First, he had a basic understanding of Wei Yanwu and the city of Longmen, unlike Vina, who only briefly learned about Longmen's customs and culture through travel guidebooks before her trip.

Secondly, as a transmigrator, Wayne naturally felt a strong affinity for the Yan Kingdom. Although he was aware that Yan was fundamentally different from his homeland, there were still some similarities, and with this in mind, Wayne wasn't too intimidated.

Wayne said reassuringly:

"Don't be afraid. Logically speaking, our status is much higher than Wei Yanwu's. Even if something goes wrong, Vina, you can just explain it as a 'Victorian custom' or a 'Londinium tradition'."

Vina stared blankly at Wayne, who looked completely confident, seemingly surprised that Wayne would make such a slightly shameless suggestion.

However, although it's a bit shameless, it seems like it's actually feasible!

The nations of Terra have limited communication to begin with, and Lungmen and Victoria are separated by the territories of Letania, Kazimir, and Kazdel, making interaction even rarer. Vina doesn't understand Lungmen, and Wei Yanwu may not understand Victoria either.

In that case, if any problems arise, just do as Wayne says!

Since he was of a higher status, Wei Yanwu probably didn't have the confidence to refute him.

Seemingly having found the secret to victory, Vina smiled broadly and nodded happily. Seeing this, Wayne also raised his head with a touch of pride. Only Theresa watched from the side, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Mr. Bruce, while this method is indeed very feasible, you can't lead Miss Vina astray!"

"I can't help it," Theresa said helplessly. She wanted to scold her, but the words softened involuntarily as she spoke.

"This time the time was too short, and there wasn't enough time to prepare, so it's fine. Next time we do this kind of visit, we must prepare in advance. We can't just rely on this kind of trickery to get away with it, can we?"

The decision to come to Lungmen was indeed made rather hastily. From Wayne's promise to take Vina on a vacation with him, to the decision to go to Lungmen, and then to the actual departure, only half a month had passed. During this half month, Wayne also accompanied Theresa on a trip to New Wales to visit Sarkaz College and returned to the Kazdalen site to meet Bojokastie. These two events alone took more than four days of travel time. In the remaining ten days, Wayne not only had to help Vina arrange her work in Lungtenium during the royal family's vacation, but also had to arrange for the visit application to be sent to Lungmen.

With so many things piled up, it's already a remarkable achievement that Wayne was able to handle everything so efficiently. To expect him to take Vina and teach her about the customs and culture of Yan and Longmen is simply asking the impossible.

Theresa volunteered, saying:

"Next time you two go out to play, shall I tutor you?"

Vina glanced at Theresa suspiciously, and said with a hint of doubt:

"Should you do it?"

Theresa patted her chest, her gaze fixed on Wayne, and said:

"Don't let my appearance fool you, I know a lot of things. It might sound like I'm bragging, but I really do know everything from astronomy to geography."

Theresa spoke with a hint of pride, after all, she was Theresa! Although she had spent a long time in Kazdel, her experience far surpassed that of Wayne and Vina. While she couldn't claim to be omniscient like Kal'tsit, she certainly had a basic understanding of everything across Terra and its many nations.

Vina was somewhat surprised to hear this.

"Sister Theresa, you know so much! I've always been amazed by this. You're a brilliant writer (the second Pulitzer Prize author), skilled in martial arts and strategy (serving as a military advisor during the Northern Rebellion), and knowledgeable in politics (often helping Vina). Now you even know so much about foreign cultures..."

Vina paused, then sighed:

"I've studied for over a decade, and even my basic political knowledge is limited to managing the Glasgow gang smoothly. Sister Theresa, you look so young, yet you know so much; it's truly ashamed of me..."

"No, no, no, your sister Theresa has been studying for much longer than you."

Seeing Vina's dejected expression, Wayne quickly comforted her, then turned to look at Theresa and asked instinctively,

"Theresia has been studying these things for at least several hundred years..."

Wayne suddenly stopped talking. For some reason, he had suddenly sensed a terrifying killing intent just a moment ago.

As for the source of the murderous intent...

Wayne swallowed hard, looked at Theresa who maintained a dignified smile, and blinked.

If his intuition is correct, it's probably, maybe, perhaps, it seems to be Theresia?

"Don't be discouraged by this, Vina. You are a natural leader; your speed of learning and progress puts me to shame. Keep going, Your Majesty, young empress! You will surely become a great emperor!"

"Theresia said seriously. Vina nodded seriously as well."

The next second, they both looked away from each other.

Theresa: [Terrifying, absolutely terrifying! Vina's growth rate is terrifying! She's already learned to use leverage against each other and strike at the vital points so quickly?!]

Vina: [Not enough, Theresa is still too strong! I need to work harder!]

Only Wayne watched as the two suddenly fell silent, their expressions grave, lost in thought as they sat in the cabin where the atmosphere had suddenly become strange.

What... happened?

P.S.: Not the underworld today! At least not the first chapter!

Aren't you surprised!

Actually, it's because I'm in a really good mood today. I only spent money on the FGO swimsuit gacha and successfully got Summer Sesshouin, two Brynhildr, and one Illya. This is the luckiest I've ever had in my life. I'm so happy!

I'll update early today; the next chapter will probably be a little later. I need to work on the swimsuit event!

P.S.: I'm really looking forward to YJ's ninth chapter; there are only two weeks left. I wonder what kind of story they'll come up with. This is kind of my last hope. I'm also waiting for Regent's Chronicle next door; I hope the quality is higher, otherwise writing Arknights is really difficult.

Backstabbing is nothing, I really want to see a storyline that's above average!

Chapter Twenty-Three: Chen's Theory of Romance

Dayan, Longmen, 7:00 PM.

Even the unpredictable weather of Terra seemed to give Victoria a break this time. When Wayne's aircraft arrived at Lungmen, the intoxicating sunset and evening glow were like fine gauze spread over the aircraft's white hull, as if the aircraft had come from the starry paradise at the end of the world on the yellow sunlight, full of indescribable poetic beauty.

The slowly descending aircraft drew the unanimous gazes of everyone from Longmen, reflecting their extraordinary emotions.

Wei Yanwu's gaze was deep and unhurried. A few wisps of smoke rose from the pipe in his hand, but he didn't seem to care that the fine tobacco was being wasted dry in the air. He stared at the golden coat of arms of Victoria on the aircraft, took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind.

Beside him, as the representative of the welcoming team, Chen's gaze was filled with excitement, yet also with the shyness of having points.

After three months apart, she had so much to say to Wayne. The distance between the two cities shouldn't have hindered their online communication, but Chen repeatedly used "being too busy with work" as an excuse to convince herself not to initiate a single message with Wayne for three whole months. Apart from occasionally bumping into Wayne when chatting with Victoria's friends in their university classmates' graduation group about the differences between life ideals and reality, Chen and Wayne had almost no interaction.

Does he still remember me? Does he still remember the promise we made? Why did he come to Longmen? Was it for me?

Chen shook his head, dismissing his overly audacious idea. Wayne was a prince of Victoria; at his level, shouldn't he prioritize national affairs in everything he did? His visit to Longmen must have been for some agreement with Wei Yanwu, or perhaps even a deal with the Great Yan. How could he possibly have come for her?

But... if, as Chen thought, there was even a one in ten thousand chance that Wayne really did choose Lungmen specifically for her?

How romantic this is!

Chen Huijie's entire life was confined within the framework of "rules." Everyone told her that without rules, nothing could be accomplished. A person's status and position dictated their treatment and responsibilities. Her life seemed predetermined; she didn't need to exert herself, think deeply, or even take any action. An invisible force propelled her along a "correct path."

Chen had grown accustomed to it, and under such guidance, she herself had become an assistant in upholding this "rule." Growing up, she went to Victoria for further studies, returned to Lungmen to join the Guard Bureau, and gradually gained prestige until the less difficult final test arranged for her by Wei Yanwu ended. She handed in her answer sheet and then sat in the position that she didn't really want to sit in, but that everyone thought she should sit in, bearing the responsibility of being revered by all.

Chen Huijie felt somewhat numb to it all. She didn't dislike taking on responsibilities, and when she completed her mission and protected the peace of the area, seeing the people's praise for their work would make her happy to go to a bar with Jiu and Xingxiong for a few drinks. But ultimately, this kind of life was a bit monotonous for her.

Chen is essentially a young girl who enjoys reading old-fashioned martial arts novels and admires legendary heroes. Rather than being an ordinary constable in the martial arts world, she aspires to be a world-renowned, legendary hero whose every experience is worth recounting.

So she was fantasizing, imagining some "romantic" things that defied common sense and transcended logic. Not for any grand purpose, unrelated to money, power, or transactions, but simply for a spontaneous trip for one person. This pure act, untainted by any other ulterior motives, was undoubtedly the kind of "romance" that could move Chen.

She looked forward to Wayne's arrival showing her this kind of "romance," but she was also a little afraid, afraid of how she should respond if Wayne really did it.

Recalling the beautiful Victorian calligraphy of "The Prince of Wales and his wife" signed on the mission, Chen couldn't help but grit his teeth.

Forget it, you'd better not do that.

You despicable old liar, you didn't tell me you had a wife when you were in Victoria!

You can let it go if you lied to me in Victoria, but this is Lungmen, the territory of the Great Yan Dynasty. If you dare to cause trouble in Lungmen and then go out and lie to others, as the bodyguard of this trip, I will definitely arrest you!

His expression inexplicably darkened, so much so that Wei Yanwu, standing beside him, shivered at the cold air emanating from him.

What's going on? The air conditioning isn't on.

Holy crap, Huijie, what's wrong with you? Why that expression?

Aside from these two, many more eyes were hidden in the shadows, silently observing this surprising and sudden visit.

The officials of the Dali Temple of the Yan Kingdom sat solemnly in a Chinese-style suite on the top floor of the Elizabeth Grand Hotel in Longmen. The red-robed man at the head of the group witnessed the aircraft landing steadily on the distant airport runway. His face, obscured by the shadow of his hood, was filled with a solemn expression.

They had already informed the court that their patrol duties would be temporarily transferred to another team, while their team would remain in Longmen to monitor Wei Yanwu's every move. The Emperor seemed to have no doubt about Wei Yanwu's loyalty, but the Court of Judicial Review felt that such a ruthless figure had to be guarded against. To prevent him from doing anything unpredictable to this last bastion of the Yan Kingdom, the Censorate would personally supervise him.

Director Jiu of the Guard Bureau officially infiltrated the slums as an undercover agent, preparing to investigate and join the infected violent organization that their Guard Bureau had been investigating for a long time. Hoshiguma, as her accomplice, would join in three days later. Once they understood the organization's structure, it would be the perfect time to close the net.

Nine had already prepared a celebratory banquet. Once they had successfully closed the net and Chen had completed his security mission, the three of them could get together and celebrate the Guard Bureau cracking another major case! Nine was even determined to make Chen pay a hefty price. She was in charge of security during the Victoria Royal Family's visit, and the bonus Commander Wei would give her afterward would certainly be substantial—she was going to make sure to squeeze it out!

In this atmosphere, the flight from Victoria finally came to a slow stop on the runway, and the cabin door slowly opened.